The account of the prophecy concerning the death of the man of God is found in 1 Kings 13. This narrative unfolds during the reign of King Jeroboam in the northern kingdom of Israel, a time marked by idolatry and apostasy. The man of God, whose name is not mentioned, is sent from Judah to Bethel to deliver a divine message against the altar that Jeroboam had erected for idol worship.

The Prophetic Mission

The man of God arrives in Bethel as Jeroboam is standing by the altar to make an offering. He proclaims a prophecy against the altar, declaring, "O altar, altar! This is what the LORD says: ‘A son named Josiah will be born to the house of David, and on you he will sacrifice the priests of the high places who burn incense on you, and human bones will be burned on you’” (1 Kings 13:2). As a sign of the prophecy's authenticity, the altar is miraculously split apart, and its ashes are poured out.

Jeroboam's Reaction and the Man of God's Obedience

King Jeroboam, angered by the prophecy, stretches out his hand to seize the man of God, but his hand withers. The king pleads for healing, and the man of God intercedes with the LORD, resulting in the restoration of Jeroboam's hand. Despite the king's invitation to dine and receive a reward, the man of God refuses, adhering strictly to the LORD's command: "You must not eat bread or drink water or return by the way you came" (1 Kings 13:9).

The Deceptive Prophet

As the man of God departs, an old prophet living in Bethel hears of the events and seeks him out. The old prophet deceives the man of God by claiming that an angel instructed him to bring the man of God back to his house to eat and drink. The man of God, swayed by the old prophet's words, disobeys the LORD's command and returns with him.

The Prophecy of Death

While they are eating, the word of the LORD comes to the old prophet, who then delivers a grave prophecy to the man of God: "Because you have defied the word of the LORD and have not kept the command that the LORD your God gave you, but you went back and ate bread and drank water in the place where He told you not to eat or drink, your body will not be buried in the tomb of your fathers" (1 Kings 13:21-22).

The Fulfillment of the Prophecy

After leaving the old prophet's house, the man of God is killed by a lion on the road. Remarkably, the lion does not devour the body nor harm the donkey, standing beside the corpse as a testament to the divine judgment. The old prophet retrieves the body and mourns for the man of God, burying him in his own tomb and instructing his sons to lay his bones beside the man of God when he dies.

Theological Implications

This narrative underscores the importance of obedience to God's commands, highlighting the severe consequences of deviating from divine instructions. It also serves as a cautionary tale about discernment, illustrating the dangers of being misled by false or deceptive messages, even from those who claim prophetic authority. The account of the man of God is a poignant reminder of the need for unwavering faithfulness to God's word, regardless of external influences or pressures.